Definitely gets darker than the first book, but in a way that adds to the story and characters, not just for shock. The romance was cuter and more enjoyable. Pacing was a little weird, especially with three or four POVs. It felt like long build up for a mostly off page battle. I did like actual character development, seeing Max

connect with his troops, but then struggle with what that bond means, and then at the end, choosing that bond over the idea of running

. Same with Tisaanah, who spent book 1 and a good amount of book 2 performing, putting on shows and great displays of power, but by the end

she finally goes to the people and is real and vulnerable with them

. Nura is interesting, idk if I necessarily wanted more time with her, but i wish there was more of A) an emotional impact of her discovering

fey still exist

, B) the change in her strategy to prepare for

the war she saw

, and C) the way

kidnapping and trying to extract powers from fey

impacts her mentally. 

I did really enjoy Aefe's story. It was a bit of a leap in character for her to go from trusting, loving, and compassionate to

someone who murdered Max's whole family and was then confused about why he was upset (as Reshaye)

and then another leap to

sacrifice herself for Tisaanah after one "selfless act" to protect Max, when both of them have done a good number of selfless things across the two books

. Like I know she's been through a LOT, but it did feel a little disjointed.